Broke my nose a year after rhinoplasty. Is it crooked or just swelling?

Question

I got an open rhinoplasty about a year and a half ago and I loved my results. Last weekend I got into a car accident and I broke my nose. It's a non displaced fracture meaning they can't manually realign it, however it appears to be slightly crooked which I don't understand if it's non displaced. What is making it appear crooked? Could it be swelling? After how long could i determine if it's swelling or if it's actually crooked.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

All of your swelling should dissipate approximately 30 days after your accident. If you still have a crooked nasal appearance at that time, you may consider visiting your rhinoplasty specialist for evaluation and management. Wishing you all moving forward. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question.
As far as I can understand from your question first of all, I recommend that you go to an Ent doctor for a detailed examination as soon as possible for this, this is a situation that should really be taken seriously.
Best Regards!

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It is very likely that the crooked appearance is just due to swelling at this point. In all likelihood, the CAT scan is just finding your previous osteotomy sites and calling that a fracture. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear about your accident.

It is good that the nasal bones do not have displacement. The cartilages however can also fracture and they will not show on a scan.

If you have already been examined and there is no septal haematoma, you will need to wait until the external swelling is decreasing to understand whether there is genuinely some change in the direction of the nose or not.

It is something that you should also discuss with your surgeon as every practitioner has their own preferred course of action for situation of this type.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

If your fracture is truly non-displaced then the surgery is not indicated.
Without havingIf you’re fracture is truly non-displaced then the surgery is not indicated.
Without having access to full information, we can’t really make a good assessment for you.
I’m guessing that the displacement was based on x-ray or CAT scan findings.
If you’re uncertain and you wanna get an assessment, then you should find a plastic surgeon to take a look at you sooner rather than later.
The time to set nasal fractures that do need reduction is within the first few days.
If you want a proper consultation, then you’ll need to schedule one.
The information you provided is in sufficient for us to give you any quality answers.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Broke my nose a year after rhinoplasty. Is it crooked or just swelling?

Answers (5)